Frequently Asked

Questions answered.

Last updated October 6, 2026.

Everything we hear most often, grouped by topic. If you do not find what you are looking for, email hello@sapphirebotanics.com and we will personally reply within two business days.

Our brand and approach

What is Sapphire Botanics?

Sapphire Botanics is the first skincare brand built specifically for sensitive, reactive skin. We combine Ayurvedic Botanical Wisdom, which looks at what your skin actually needs, with Targeted Phytochemistry, which selects the exact botanicals whose bioactive compounds address it at the source. We make two elixirs. That is all we do.

What does "sensitive, reactive skin" actually mean?

It is skin that flares, dulls, breaks out or reacts easily to harsh products. It is not a skin type so much as a tendency, and it calls for gentler, more considered formulas than generic acne or anti-ageing skincare.

What is the Ayurvedic Botanical Wisdom and Targeted Phytochemistry framework?

Ayurvedic Botanical Wisdom draws on 5,000 years of Ayurvedic understanding of plants and skin. Applied to your skin, it tells us whether it needs calming and clarifying, or smoothing and renewing. Targeted Phytochemistry is how we choose which botanicals go into each formulation, based on the specific bioactive compounds that address each need. The thinking is Ayurvedic. The ingredient selection is phytochemical. Together they make each elixir precise for the skin it is formulated for.

Where are your products made?

Sapphire Botanics is incorporated in Ontario, Canada. Our formulations are manufactured at an FDA-registered, GMP and ISO-certified facility in India, where Ayurvedic botanical preparation has the deepest manufacturing tradition in the world. Every batch is quality-tested before it ships, and finished products are stocked and fulfilled from our Canadian operations.

Are your products certified?

Yes. We are Leaping Bunny Certified (independently verified cruelty-free), 100% vegan, pregnancy safe, waterless, and packaged in recyclable glass. Our manufacturing facility holds FDA, GMP, and ISO certifications. Full third-party certification details are available on our Transparency page.

Who is behind Sapphire Botanics?

Reshma Singh and Arrchith co-founded the brand after Reshma developed cystic acne during pregnancy. Nothing she tried worked, so she turned to Ayurveda and built the first formulation herself. Reshma leads creative and is the face of the brand. Arrchith leads tech, operations, and marketing. You can read the full story on our About page.

Choosing the right elixir

I do not know which elixir is right for me. What should I do?

Take our Skin Quiz. It is seven questions and takes about ninety seconds. You will get a matched elixir recommendation based on what your skin needs right now.

Do I need both elixirs, or just one?

Start with the one that matches your primary concern. Night Repair Elixir if your skin is breaking out, oily, or scarred from flare-ups. Bio Retinol Elixir if your skin is showing fine lines, dullness, or a loss of radiance. Many women over 30 experience both, and the Power Couple bundle gives you both at a discount. The quiz will tell you which suits you best.

What is in the Power Couple bundle?

One full-size Night Repair Elixir and one full-size Bio Retinol Elixir, bundled at a $20 saving off buying them separately. The bundle is designed as a complete AM and PM ritual: Bio Retinol in the morning, Night Repair in the evening.

What is the difference between the 10ml and 30ml sizes?

The 10ml is a trial size with around 40 drops, lasting 10 to 14 days. The 30ml is our standard size with around 120 drops, lasting 30 to 40 days. The 30ml is the better value per ml and the size we recommend for a proper 28-day evaluation of results. Want to try both first? The Discovery Set pairs a 10ml of each elixir.

My skin breaks out and shows fine lines. Which should I start with?

Start with the Power Couple bundle. Your skin is showing both concerns, which is very common, especially after 30. Night Repair addresses the breakouts and post-acne marks at night, and Bio Retinol addresses the fine lines and dullness in the morning. They are formulated to complement each other.

I already use a retinol. Should I switch to Bio Retinol Elixir?

If your retinol works for you and you do not experience irritation, dryness, or sensitivity, there is no need to switch. Bio Retinol Elixir is for people who cannot use retinol (during pregnancy or breastfeeding, with reactive skin, or while using other actives) or who want retinol-level results without photosensitivity and purging. Bakuchiol works on the same cellular receptors as retinol and has been studied head-to-head with it in peer-reviewed trials with comparable results.

Using your elixir

How long until I see results?

Most women notice calmer, softer skin within 7 to 14 days. By day 28, the difference is visible in photographs. In our 28-day consumer perception study with 30 participants, 94% reported calmer, less reactive skin and 91% reported faded post-acne marks with Night Repair Elixir. Skincare works on skin cell turnover cycles, which take 28 days. Give a new product a full cycle before deciding.

How many drops should I use?

3 to 4 drops for the whole face. Dispense into your palms, warm the oil between your hands for a few seconds, and press gently into clean skin starting from the centre and working outward.

Where does this go in my routine?

Face oil is the last step of hydration, before SPF in the morning. The order is: cleanse, tone or mist, any water-based serum, eye cream, elixir, then SPF (in the morning) or nothing (at night). If you use a cream moisturiser, apply it before the elixir, not after.

Can I layer this with other actives like AHAs, BHAs, or vitamin C?

Yes, but space them out. Use your acid exfoliants at night on non-elixir nights, or apply them in the morning and use the elixir at night. Vitamin C can be used in the morning before the elixir. If your skin is in active flare or reactive, simplify your routine and let the elixir do the work alone for the first 28 days.

Can I use Night Repair and Bio Retinol at the same time?

Yes, and that is exactly how the Power Couple ritual is designed. Bio Retinol in the morning under SPF. Night Repair in the evening before bed. They target different concerns and complement each other rather than competing.

Do I still need SPF with Bio Retinol Elixir?

Yes. Bakuchiol is not photosensitising the way synthetic retinol is, but SPF is non-negotiable for any anti-aging or brightening routine. Unprotected sun exposure undoes the collagen and tone work the elixir is doing.

Will face oil make my skin more oily?

Counterintuitively, no. When skin is stripped of oil by harsh products, it overcompensates by producing more sebum. Our elixirs use plant oils that closely match your skin's natural lipid profile, so your skin recognises them, stops overproducing, and rebalances. Most women notice their skin is actually less oily within two weeks.

Pregnancy and sensitive skin

Is this safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?

Yes. We formulated both elixirs so that women never have to choose between effective skincare and safety. Zero retinol, zero synthetic actives, zero essential oils flagged for pregnancy or breastfeeding. Every ingredient is reviewed against current dermatological guidance. We always recommend checking with your physician before introducing any new product during pregnancy.

Is this suitable if I have rosacea, eczema, or another skin condition?

Our formulations are designed to calm reactive skin, but every skin is different. If you are being treated for a skin condition by a dermatologist, check with them before starting. Always patch-test first. If your condition flares from common botanical ingredients, our full ingredient lists let you screen before buying.

Can I use this while on prescription acne medication?

Check with your dermatologist first. Many prescription treatments (isotretinoin, topical retinoids, benzoyl peroxide) can make your skin more reactive, and layering additional products during that time can cause irritation. Once you finish or pause your prescription, Night Repair Elixir can be a gentler long-term approach to breakouts.

Can teenagers use this?

Our products are formulated for adult skin and we recommend a minimum age of 18. Adolescent breakouts responds to different treatment approaches, and a dermatologist is the best first step.

What if I have an allergic reaction?

Stop using the product immediately. If the reaction is mild, it usually calms within a few days. If it is severe or persistent, consult your physician. Then email us at hello@sapphirebotanics.com with your order number, and photos if you can. Reactions are covered by our 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee, even on opened products.

Ingredients and formulation

Is there CBD in the Hemp Seed Oil?

Hemp Seed Oil (Cannabis sativa seed oil) comes from the seeds of the cannabis plant and contains negligible to no CBD. CBD is extracted from the leaves, flowers, and stalks, not the seeds. The hemp seed oil in Night Repair Elixir is included for its omega fatty acids and its ability to help rebalance oil production.

Why does my bottle look slightly different from a previous one?

Plant-based ingredients naturally vary in colour, viscosity, and scent from harvest to harvest. Soil, rainfall, and harvest timing all affect the finished oil. These small variations are a sign that our ingredients are genuinely plant-derived rather than synthetic. Performance is unchanged.

Do your products contain essential oils?

Yes, but at very low percentages and only essential oils that are safe for pregnancy and reactive skin. Specifically, lavender and rose for their skin-calming properties, and small amounts of citrus peel oils in Night Repair. We do not use cinnamon, peppermint, eucalyptus, or other essential oils known to irritate reactive skin.

Is bakuchiol really as effective as retinol?

Yes. Bakuchiol has been studied head-to-head with retinol in peer-reviewed clinical trials. Participants using bakuchiol saw comparable improvement in fine lines, pigmentation, and overall photodamage, with significantly less scaling and irritation. The key difference is that bakuchiol is pregnancy safe, not photosensitising, and works without the purge period that synthetic retinol causes.

Why is there no water in your formulations?

Water is the most common filler in skincare because it is cheap and makes formulas feel lightweight. It is also why most creams need preservatives. Our elixirs are 100% active botanicals with zero water, which means every drop is working on your skin, and we do not need harsh preservatives to keep the formula stable.

Is it true that Bio Retinol Elixir takes 18 days to make?

Yes. Bio Retinol Elixir undergoes a traditional Ayurvedic phyto-infusion: an 18-day cold infusion where each botanical is slowly drawn out to preserve its full bioactive potency. No heat. No shortcuts. Heat breaks down volatile phytochemicals. Cold infusion preserves them. This is why our Bio Retinol delivers retinol-level results from a plant source.

Orders and shipping

Where do you ship?

We currently ship across Canada and the United States. International shipping beyond CA and US is on our roadmap. Full shipping details are on our Shipping and Delivery page.

How long does shipping take?

Canadian orders arrive in 3 to 7 business days. US orders arrive in 5 to 10 business days. Orders are processed and dispatched within 1 to 2 business days of being placed. You will receive tracking information by email once your order ships.

Do you offer free shipping?

Yes. In Canada, orders of $80 CAD or more ship free; orders under $80 CAD ship for a flat $10 CAD. In the United States, orders of $50 USD or more ship free; orders under $50 USD ship for a flat $8 USD. US orders are priced and charged in USD.

Do I have to pay customs duty in the United States?

Most US orders are not subject to customs duty. Our products ship from Canada under USMCA provisions, which typically exempt qualifying goods from import duty for personal-use shipments. In rare cases, state sales tax may apply at delivery.

How do I track my order?

You will receive a shipping confirmation email with a tracking link as soon as your order leaves our warehouse. Tracking information can take up to 24 hours to update. If it has not updated after 48 hours, email us at hello@sapphirebotanics.com.

Returns and refunds

What is your return policy?

Every order is covered by our 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee. If you are not happy with your results within 30 days of delivery, email us and we will refund you in full, even if the bottle is opened. You do not need to send opened bottles back. Damaged or defective shipments are 100% covered. Full details on our Returns page.

How long do refunds take?

Refunds are issued to your original payment method and usually appear within 7 to 14 business days of us approving your refund. Your bank may take an additional day or two to post the credit to your statement.

Can I exchange one elixir for the other?

Yes. If your quiz result or skin needs have changed, email us at hello@sapphirebotanics.com within 30 days of delivery and we will arrange an exchange. Any price difference is refunded or charged to your original payment method.

Can I cancel my order?

Yes, if your order has not yet shipped. Email us as soon as possible with your order number and we will cancel it and refund in full. Once an order has been handed to the carrier, it cannot be cancelled, but the 30-day money-back guarantee still applies once it arrives.

Account and gifts

How do I unsubscribe from emails?

Click the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any marketing email. You will be removed from our list immediately. Transactional emails (order confirmations, shipping updates) will still be sent because they are required for your purchase.

How do I update my account information?

Log in to your account to update your name, email, shipping address, or password. If you are having trouble accessing your account, email us and we will help.

Can I buy this as a gift?

Yes. You can ship directly to the recipient by entering their shipping address at checkout. We do not include pricing information in the package. If you would like a handwritten note included, mention it in the order notes field and we will do our best to include one.

Do you offer a subscribe-and-save option?

Yes. Choose Subscribe & save on any product page to get 15% off every delivery. You can have your elixir delivered every month or every 2 months. A 30ml bottle lasts about 30 to 40 days at 3 to 4 drops a day, so monthly suits daily use and every 2 months suits lighter use. Skip, pause or cancel anytime from your account.

Do you have a loyalty or referral program?

We are building one. If you would like early access when it launches, sign up for our newsletter.

Still have a question?

We personally reply within two business days.

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